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Social action director, pastor
At the age of 100, 30-year Pilgrim Place resident Ray Gibbons walked two miles a day. A few years later, at age 103, Reverend Gibbons slowed down a little, but only a little—he was still walking a half-mile every day. His family described him as “an avid and vigorous morning walker.”
Rev. Gibbons, who was featured in the February 13, 2008 edition of the Claremont COURIER in honor of his 105th birthday, died just over a month later, on March 18, 2008. In February, Rev. Gibbons told COURIER reporter Tony Krickl his secret to a long and full life: “I have been very fortunate and enjoy the simple things.”
A life well lived often means looking not at what we can gain, but what we can give. This was indeed true of Rev. Gibbons who spent his life dedicated to helping others and effecting positive change in the world. For a quarter-of-a-century, from 1944 to 1968, he helped churches apply their faith to the major social and political issues of the day as director of the Council for Social Action of the Claremont United Church of Christ. During his steadfast tenure with the council, he developed staff positions in race relations, labor problems, economic justice and international relations. He also directed the council’s publication, Social Action, a monthly magazine in which leading scholars discussed issues of current concern to the churches.
During this period, Rev. Gibbons also served on the board of the National Council of Churches and was a delegate to the World Council of Churches meeting on Church and Society, which was held in Switzerland in 1960.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born to Allison Martin Gibbons and Ella Moll Gibbons in 1903, Rev. Gibbons remained in his home state to earn his first bachelor’s degree at Oberlin College. He then earned a bachelor’s of divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and a master’s degree from Columbia University.
Prior to his work with the Council for Social Action, Rev. Gibbons served as pastor of the First Church of Christ in Northampton, Massachusetts and, before that, as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Westbrook, Maine. As a pastor, he was active in organizing and directing Christian summer youth camps.
Along with his wife Marjorie Gibbons (nee Lies), Rev. Gibbons conducted a number of study tours for church members interested in learning about the life and work of Christian churches in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Upon retirement, they served for 3 years as co-directors of the Winter Chautauqua Program in Avon Park, Florida, a retreat-style program that gave participants the opportunity to learn and explore various contemporary matters within education, religion and spirituality and culture.
In 1969, Rev. Gibbons and his wife moved to Sweden, Maine where they had renovated an 1828 farmhouse, which they had enjoyed as a summer home since 1931. Even in this retirement, Rev. Gibbons remained active in his life’s work, serving as a volunteer pastor of the Sweden Community Church, secretary of the town Planning Board and chairman of the Town Hall Committee.
Among assorted hobbies, Rev. Gibbons enjoyed making clocks, including grandfather clocks, several of which are on display at Pilgrim Place. He also enjoyed tackling home improvement and repair projects and even built his own sailboat. In his younger years, he frequently went mountain climbing in the White mountains of New Hampshire.
Rev. Gibbons is survived by 3 children, David Gibbons of Oakhurst, New Jersey, Paul Gibbons of Nelson, New Hampshire and Jane Gibbons of Sweden, Maine, all of whom followed in their father’s footsteps and became ordained ministers. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on April 20, 2008 at Claremont United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pilgrim Place Memorial Fund, 660 Avery Rd., Claremont, CA 91711.
